Colombia reports 5,000 Zika cases in first weeks of 2016, more than 500 pregnant women monitored

Since the Zika virus outbreak hit Colombia in Oct. 2015, more than 16,000 laboratory and clinically confirmed and suspected cases have been reported by health officials. In the first weeks of 2016, more than 5,ooo confirmed and suspected cases have been seen.

Colombia/CIA

Health officials note that the average notifications for the last five weeks was 1,749 cases / week.

The local authorities with the largest number of cases by origin were Norte de Santander, Cundinamarca, Barranquilla, Huila and Tolima with 57.5% of cases.

Since the beginning of the epidemic of the disease through mid-January, 1,090 Zika cases have been reported in pregnant women from 30 territories and 138 municipalities. 468 pregnant women from Norte de Santander alone have been diagnosed with confirmed or suspected Zika infection.

Health officials say that more than 500 pregnant women are under strict monitoring consistent with the guidelines of the National Government.